Lockhart Lions boys varsity soccer team wins first game of season

Editor’s note: this article was updated Jan. 12 to include quotes from an interview with Coach Reyes

Coach’s Recap:

The boys’ varsity soccer team won their first game of the 2021 season against Buda Johnson on Jan. 5. It was the first game the boys played since qualifying for the playoffs in the 2020 season. Due to the pandemic, soccer playoffs were not held last year.

In an interview with LPR on Jan. 8. Coach Conrado Reyes said he gathered his players around before the season to determine the theme for 2021. They discussed the disappointment of not being able to finish what they started, particularly for the seniors. The theme was born: “unfinished business”

“We use unfinished business as the backbone of our season,” Coach Reyes said. “So whenever things aren’t going right, that’s something we tend to lean on.”

It’s Coach Reyes said the team uses it as motivation in practice, workouts, and it’s even on the spine of their team shirts.

“There will be a new district champion crowned this year, and we are looking to take that spot,” Reyes said.

The Lions picked up where they left off last year with a 4-3 victory at the new high school. Johnson is coached by former Lockhart soccer coach David Ramos.

The Lions also played and defeated Johnson last year, but this year the game was much closer. At halftime, the Lions were trailing 2-1. In the second half of the game, the Lions made the adjustments they needed and scored three unanswered goals. 

Towards the end of the game, Buda scored to make the game closer. It was a hard fought, physical game, and although the Lions showed signs of rust, they will be exciting to watch in the 2021 season.

Goals were scored by juniors Ismael Deleon, Jorge Olvera, and Jorge Cruz as well as sophomore Allan Pineda. The Deleon brothers, Ismael and Reynaldo had assists. 

Earlier in the evening, the JV team fell to Johnson 3-1, with the lone Lockhart goal from sophomore Chris Perales.